NHL Player News

Lundkvist (illness) will be a game-time decision heading into Friday's clash with the Rangers, Brien Rea of FanDuel Sports Network Southwest reports.

Lundkvist is still trying to work his way back into the lineup after coming down with the flu, a problem also hampering fellow blueliner Thomas Harley. If either of the two defensemen can't play versus New York, Lian Bichsel is set to step into the lineup. For his part, Lundkvist has managed just two points across 23 games this year, so fantasy managers probably aren't overly concerned about his availability.

Harley (illness) will once again be a game-time decision ahead of Friday's matchup with the Rangers, Brien Rea of FanDuel Sports Network Southwest reports.

The flu bug continues to hamper the Stars, with both Harley and Nils Lundkvist still in doubt Friday as a result. Lian Bichsel is the only spare blueliner for Dallas, which means the team is likely expecting either Harley or Lundkvist to play, otherwise the Stars might have to roll with just five defensemen.

Kaiser was sent to AHL Rockford on Friday, per Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio.

The 22-year-old defenseman had been a healthy scratch in the Blackhawks' last three games. Kaiser picked up an assist in his second game of the season but didn't have a point in his past 26 outings. Kaiser will get a chance to play more and regain his confidence offensively with the IceHogs.

Edvinsson (upper body) will miss Friday and Saturday's games against Montreal, according to coach Derek Lalonde.

Edvinsson was injured in the opening stanza Wednesday versus Philadelphia and did not return. Edvinsson has been piling up impressive stats as a 21-year-old defenseman with three goals and 13 points in 30 games despite rarely seeing the ice during power plays. Albert Johansson is expected to rejoin the lineup in Edvinsson's absence.

Hughes produced a goal and an assist in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets.

The 21-year-old defender spoiled Elvis Merzlikins' shutout bid with just under three minutes left in the third period, then helped set up Timo Meier for the Devils' final tally 85 seconds later. Hughes has gotten onto the scoresheet in three straight games, and over the last 16 contests he's racked up two goals and 12 points with 31 shots on net, 10 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating. After missing the beginning of the season while completing his recovery from shoulder surgery and then managing just one assist over his first 10 appearances of 2024-25, Hughes has quickly made up for lost time and is emerging as a force on the New Jersey blue line.

Andrae was reassigned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Andrae had been a healthy scratch for three straight games before he returned Thursday against the Kings, where he had two shots on goal in 16:05 of action. Overall, Andrae has one goal and four assists with 22 hits and 28 blocked shots across 20 appearances with the Flyers this season.

Bichsel was recalled from AHL Texas on Friday.

Bichsel was sent to the AHL on Thursday, but he'll rejoin the NHL club a day later. The 20-year-old has made four appearances for Dallas across the past week, racking up two goals and 13 hits while averaging 15:24 of ice time. Bichsel should have a chance to suit up Friday against the Rangers if Thomas Harley (illness) or Nils Lundkvist (illness) is unavailable.

Ekholm deposited the game-winning goal in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Bruins.

Ekholm ripped one past Jeremy Swayman's blocker after being set up by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the extra frame. Ekholm extended his point streak (one goal, two assists) to three games in the victory. The left-shot blueliner has registered four points through eight games in December, which is encouraging considering he was held off the scoresheet in 12 of 13 games in November. The 34-year-old has contributed four goals, 14 points, 12 PIM, 75 shots on goal and a plus-10 rating while averaging 22:48 of ice time through 32 appearances. Ekholm's efforts are mostly concentrated on being reliable in the defensive zone, but he can go on a run at any time when taking into account his top-pair role and the talent that surrounds him.

Rutta notched an assist, three shots on goal and three blocked shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Rutta has managed three helpers over his last 12 games. The 34-year-old blueliner continues to handle a bottom-four role for the Sharks, serving as a steady veteran mentor to the team's younger defensemen. Rutta is at four assists, 39 shots on net, 29 hits, 52 blocked shots, 22 PIM and a minus-6 rating over 35 appearances this season, so he doesn't need to be rostered in the vast majority of fantasy formats.

Ceci posted an assist, two shots on goal and three blocked shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Ceci has three helpers over his last five games. He continues to chip in a little offense to go along with decent numbers in the physical areas while playing on the top pairing. The 30-year-old blueliner has nine points, 38 shots on net, 66 blocked shots, 37 hits and a minus-7 rating across 35 contests this season.